FC Utrecht vs Napoli Preview
Posted Thursday, December 02, 2010 by ESPN
Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri has demanded maximum concentration from his players ahead of their must-win game at FC Utrecht.
The clash in Holland will see the bottom two clubs in Group K fight to keep alive their Europa League hopes.
Both sides head into the encounter winless and two points behind second-placed Steaua Bucharest with two games remaining. Liverpool top the group with eight points.
"We will do everything possible to qualify for the next round," said Mazzarri.
"We know it's difficult to beat Utrecht away from home but nevertheless, we are confident.
"We will need to be focused from start to finish and take our chances.
"We have created so much but collected so little in the competition so far. I hope this will change tomorrow.
"I don't think my players have underestimated the Europa League but playing every three or four days takes its toll on the team."
Both sides will be under pressure heading into the encounter as a draw could also see both teams eliminated from the competition should Steaua beat Liverpool in Romania in tomorrow's other pool game.
"Although we need results to go our way, we just have to focus on our game," said Mazzarri.
The Italians will have to show a vast improvement with respect to Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Udinese, their second defeat in three Serie A games.
The result dropped the club to fourth in the league table, six points behind leaders AC Milan.
Utrecht look to bounce back from Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Heracles Almelo, their seventh loss of the campaign.
The Dutch side are ninth in the Eredivisie, 11 points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven.
"We did not start aggressively enough," said FC Utrecht coach Ton du Chatinier.
"We had our chances but then we gave the game away in a childish manner."
Utrecht will nevertheless fancy their chances, having been unbeaten in their past six European home games while Napoli have clinched just one point on their continental travels this season.
Napoli will play with attacking trio Marek Hamsik, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani.
Photos
More»Arabella Chi looks sensational as she flashes her bum in thong bikini
Friday March 29 2024'WC's Sexiest Fan' Ivana Knoll set to steal limelight...
Friday March 29 2024Glam TV host Diletta Leotta begs Loris Karius to QUIT Newcastle
Thursday March 28 2024
Your Say